Stop Press

WPP and Twitter have announced a global strategic partnership that will greatly expand collaboration between the two organisations. As part of the deal, which was led by WPP’s Data Alliance, WPP companies from a variety of disciplines will increasingly leverage Twitter data across a number of important initiatives. Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP, said: “Twitter’s relevance continues to grow – not only as a social platform, but also as a window into consumer attitudes and behaviour in real time.”

Apple topped the charts once again in the 2013 BrandZTM Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands report from WPP and Millward Brown. However, Apple grew just 1% in the last year (to $185 billion) compared to 51% growth for its closest competitor, Samsung, which is now 30th in the global ranking with a brand value of $21 billion.

Millward Brown, a world leader in brand, media and communications research, has appointed Travyn Rhall as its new Global CEO. Rhall, currently CEO of the company’s Africa, Middle East, Asia and Pacific region, will report to Kantar CEO Eric Salama.

New Offers

VML, the global digital marketing agency, has agreed to acquire a 49% stake in Heureka Group, a leading Polish digital agency. Heureka Group is a full-service interactive advertising agency specialising in digital advertising and social media campaigns.

Y&R Advertising has opened Y&R Yangon, making it one of the first international networks to open a majority-owned advertising agency in Myanmar. Y&R Yangon is a joint venture with local partners K-Noke Advertising.

TNS, the world’s leading custom research company, has agreed to acquire Sinotrust Market Research, a leading market research and consulting company in China, from Experian. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Cohn & Wolfe has acquired a minority stake in BPG | pr, one of the most respected PR agencies in the Middle East. The move strengthens and broadens Cohn & Wolfe’s offer to clients across the MENA region and follows on the heels of the agency’s Asia-Pacific expansion in China, India and Southeast Asia.

Insights

Newly released data from Kantar Media’s syndicated study, futurePROOF, reveals that nearly a quarter of the GB population has access to four screens at home (TV, computer, smartphone and tablet) compared to only 11% six months ago.

Trend-leading companies attribute their success to continuous innovation and a focus on customers, but few are regarded as employers of choice according to a survey published by H+K Strategies and TNS in Singapore.